A ‘Good Frame of Mind’ is the AmericanFrame.com company blog where we write about all things art & framing. Here you will find a range of articles on frame design, framing tips and techniques, printing tutorials and answers to your ‘frequently asked’ customer service questions. We love to interact with our audience so we hope you’ll join our community by subscribing and commenting on the blog.

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Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Trend Watch: Framing Fabrics

The word “framing” usually conjures images of professionally
displayed photographs, sketches, or paintings. But there’s a big world of
creativity beyond those mediums.

Lately, framing trends have embraced more unorthodox art like gift
wrap, dried foliage, and a new favorite: fabric. It’s a versatile, easy-to-frame,
and unexpected design element
in any space. Style experts seem to agree, touting custom cloth art everywhere
from the popular blog Apartment
Therapy to the online home of lifestyle guru Martha
Stewart.

It’s easy to see why framed fabric has captured so much attention.
It allows artists and hobbyists to flex their creative muscles: playing with
textures, experimenting with image orientation, and elevating everyday items to
art.

The options are endless. Spice up a den with a mounted sports
jersey. Display and preserve a delicate heirloom handkerchief with protective glazing and archival
mounting board. Have leftover floral print material from a sewing project? Turn
it into an eye-catching statement piece. Our own framing expert Mike Cromly
tells you how here.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with composition. The cloth may have
vertical lines, but that doesn’t mean it has to be displayed that way. How
would it look tilted at a diagonal? What if you framed several pieces of the
same fabric oriented in different ways? Take some time to imagine a unique
layout, not necessarily the one the fabric designer intended. Then, iron and
trim the fabric for a professional finish.

Securing
the Fabric

Slipping fabric can destroy the look of the finished treatment.
But before choosing a method of securing your items, be aware that some of them
require holes in the cloth. If the piece holds no sentimental or resale value,
don’t hesitate to sew it directly to the mounting board. Using a thin fabric? Self-adhesive
mounting board will keep it in place without puncture marks. To avoid holes
altogether, try a jersey case. It uses
a garment hanging system to keep the items secure without damage.

Matching
the Frame

When choosing a frame, keep the subject in mind. For vintage
pieces, select a frame that fits the era of the clothing. An ornate
carved gold wood frame, for instance, would look right at home
displaying grandma’s wedding veil, while a Mid-Century
Modern one might pair nicely with a 1960s dress. For bold patterns, consider
a classic
black metal Nielsen™ frame that won’t compete for attention. Framing
sports memorabilia? Look for Nielsen™ metal frames in the team’s
colors. Need inspiration? Browse our wood and metal
collections for the perfect frame to enhance the piece.

Selecting
Accessories

Accessories also play an important role in the look and longevity
of the display. For extra protection, count on conservation-quality Bainbridge
Alphamat Artcare ™ mat board. It’s free
of lignin and acids, which could decay the piece over time. Concerned about
U.V. rays? Our acrylic
glazing in U.V. or Non Glare U.V. varieties blocks them.

Excited to try framing fabrics? Share the results with us. Tweet a
photo of your creation to @AmericanFrame using #AmericanFramed or email it to Customer.Service@AmericanFrame.com.